Signs and Symptoms of Ectopic and Molar Pregnancy

Ectopic Pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a complication in pregnancy where the baby (medically defined as an embryo) implants outside the uterus. 1% of pregnancies will implant outside the uterus and out of those 1% – 98% occur in the Fallopian tube. Except in rare circumstances, ectopic pregnancies are not viable and will end either in a miscarriage or medical intervention will be necessary through medication (methotrexate) or surgery may be necessary to prevent (or treat) Fallopian tube rupture. Due to medical diagnostic abilities most ectopic pregnancies are diagnosed between 5-8 weeks gestation.

Molar Pregnancy

Molar pregnancy is an abnormal form of pregnancy, wherein a non-viable, fertilized egg implants in the uterus, and thereby converts normal pregnancy processes into pathological ones. A ‘complete mole’ is caused by 1 or 2 sperm combining with a damaged egg which contains no DNA. Complete hydatidiform moles have a risk of developing into a malignant tumor if left untreated. A molar pregnancy will typically end as a ‘spontaneous miscarriage’ or will be diagnosed as a ‘missed miscarriage’ – vary rarely will there be a viable baby.

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